Automatic snow melter



Dec. 23, 1969 l MfM, `cosLowsKY "3,484,961

AUTOMATIC SNOW MELTER 5 sheets-sheet' '1 Filed Nov. 28, 1966 .WHRN

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//v VEA/Toe Mae/0N M CosLon/s/r Dec. 23, `1969 MSM. cosLowsKY 3,484,961

AUTOMAT IC SNOW MELTER Filed Nov. 28, 1966 l 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 MAR/0MMCosgow/f/ A :free/m y United States Patent Oilce 3,484,961 Patented Dec.23, 1969 3,484,961 AUTOMATIC SNOW MELTER Marion M. Coslowsky, 505 E.Mount View Ave., Barstow, Calif. 92311 Filed Nov. 28, 1966, Ser. No.601,285 Int. Cl. Elllh 5/07; B601) 7/36; F2411 1/00 U.S. Cl. 37-14 4Claims ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE A snow removal machine including avehicle mounting an infeed conveyor which picks up snow from the area tobe cleared as the vehicle travels over the area and transports the snowupwardly to the elevated infeed end of an inclined melting ramp enclosedwithin a heating chamber containing burners which are mounted over theramp so as to melt the snow as the latter gravitates downwardly alongthe ramp. The water emerging from the lower end of the ramp enters areceiver or tank from which the water may be selectively discharged to asewer or to the side of the cleared area through a hinged spout and ahose wound on a power driven reel.

This invention relates generally to snow removal machinery; moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a novel snow meltingmachine in an automotive vehicle in which means are provided for moreefficient and rapid removal of snow from roadways both of theflat-surfaced type and railroad beds, even when the new snow meltingvehicle travels at relatively high speed.

In prior art efforts to provide snow removal machinery for the clearingof roadways and railroad beds that have been covered with heavy snow,melting techniques have been employed, but these have been more complexand less efficient and have required greater road personnel. The priorart methods were thus both slow and costly. Even when incorporated inautomotive vehicles the prior art snow removal equipment left much to bedesired in the rates of removal, melting and discharge of the snowpicked up by the removal vehicle.

This invention contemplates improved and more elficient means forremoving snow lfrom highways and railroad beds faster than prior artequipments. Consequently,

'the work is accomplished more economically than with the prior art orother means used heretofore.

The new equipment according to this invention is incorporated in atruck-like vehicle which may use highway traction means or railroadtraction means. It incorporates a snow conveyor at the end of which is ascoop that in snow removal operation rides upon the roadbed or rails.While en route to a location for snow removal the scoop may be raised toclear the road surface and any relatively low lying obstacles that maybe in the path. The positioning of the conveyor and scoop isaccomplished with pneumatic drive components.

The conveyor is inclined so as to -bring the snow being removed upwardlyinto a melting chamber in which the snow is passed under gas jets whichquickly melt the snow to ll the chamber with water. The water is removedthrough a novel hose coil arrangement which may be readily unreeled asthe vehicle approaches and passes a sewer inlet. The water may bedischarged into the sewer even while the snow removal vehicle accordingto this invention continues to travel along the road removing snow as itgoes.

Alternatively, relatively rigid side ejection spouts are provided todischarge the fluid residue of the melted snow to the side of the roadas the snow removal vehicle travels along the road. These spouts areelevated so as to piles at the side of the highway or railroad bed.

The novel reel mechanism according to this invention is arranged to beoperated by an electric or other type of motor driven to reel out thedischarge hose and draw it back in again after the fluid has beendischarged down a sewer.

An advantage of the present invention over prior art methods is that thenew machine incorporates means for using the same fuel for igniting thejet flames for melting the snow in the melting chamber as is used inoperation of the traction motors and in operating the conveyor drivemechanisms. The need for separate tanks for different fuels iseliminated. Conventional fuel compression means is provided to bring thefuel up to an appropriate pressure and temperature at which the burnerswill operate eflciently. Air is permitted to circulate freely throughthe air space between the melting chamber and the fuel tank forinsulation so as to prevent accidental overheating or explosion.Vertical valve doors are provided at the inlet of the melting chamber incommunication with the conveyor which are open during loading, that isduring operation of the conveyor belt raising snow from the street orroadbed level to the melting chamber inlet. The open valve doors permitthe discharge of the combustion products.

When the snow removal machine is at rest the Valve doors remain closedto keep out rain, snow or sleet and reduce any icing tendencies likelywhen the machine is `not in use. Access doors are also provided in themelting chamber through which solid debris not subject to the meltingaction of the llames may be removed.

Further objects and advantages of the invention include the provisionofa high seated cab for the operator of the vehicle placed on the side ofthe conveyor which gives him a clear view even over very high snowdrifts so that the vehicle can be driven along its path without loss ofvisibility to the operator.

When operated on rails the scoop endl of the conveyor has track ridingrollers which allow the scoop to move smoothly into the snow coveringthe tracks.

Operation of the snow removal machine according to this invention can beaccomplished by one man when on a highway or railroad snow removalmission and the disr charge of residue can be made to the side of theroad through the outlet discharge pipes provided therefor. Thesedischarge pipes are normally inclined to the side of the vehicle and canbe raised overhead for high snow conditions and where there is no roomto discharge water to the side. When operated in citystreet snow-removalactivities a second man is best used to operate and control thefunctioning of the reeled-up flexible hose so that the nozzle may bedirected into sewers along the snowremoval path. The purpose of thisoperation is to avoid pouring out melted water on the street, where itwill freeze again and create hazards. instead it is poured into drainsand sewers.

The snow removal truck or vehicle according to this invention need notbe stopped while 'the hose is discharging the fluid from the meltingchamber into a sewer since the hose reel will unwind as the vehiclemoves on and when the fluid has been discharged it will automaticallyroll up again, the hose being stored back on the reel. During atransistion period when the hose nozzle is being transferred from onesewer to the next, valves are provided for shutting off the outflow offluid from the melting chamber.

In any case whether the reeled flexible hose or the outlet pipes areused, the fluid is discharged therethrough. Pumps are provided toaccomplish the raising of the water level to discharge through the hardhoses. The pumps are operated only when water has to be dischargedthrough the hard hoses at the level higher than the outflow from thechamber. The flexible hose when used is reeled in and played out fromthe reel under electric motor driven power controlled by the operator inthe cab or by the second man who may be afoot or on a special tricyclewhich has cabled electric connection with the snow removal truck or hemay be provided with remote control switching apparatus `for operationof the reeling motors by radio. With modern technology the man afoot caneasily carry appropriate radio control gear by which to remotely controlthe reeling in or playing out of the hose.

The objects of the invention may be clearly discerned from the foregoingdiscussion and from the specification which follows taken together withthe appended claims and the drawings which illustrate representativeembodiments of the features of the invention and should not be construedas limiting the invention solely to the illustrated embodiment sincethose skilled in the art pertaining thereto may, in the light of thisdisclosure, conceive other embodiments within the ambit of the claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a partially sectional side elevational view of a snowmelting vehicle according to the invention showing some of the detailsof the internal structures therein;

FIGURE 2 is a partially cut away front view of the vehicle shown inFIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a partially cut away rear view of the vehicle illustrated inFIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, partially sectional View of a detail of aburner mechanism used in the invention, shown through 4-4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary partially sectional view of details of the uiddischarge mechanism of the invention taken through 5--5 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a section through 6-6 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a section through 7-7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a front View of a modified form of vehicle configurationaccording to the invention; and

FIGURE 9 is a detail of a scoop mechanism shown in partially cut awayand partially sectional form such as may be used in a railroadadaptation of the invention.

Referring to FIGURE l and the other gures as may be applicable, it maybe seen that the snow removal vehicle of the present invention consistsof a truck body indicated generally at 10 having a drivers or operatorscab 11 on the drivers front side of the vehicle, a prime moving engine12 having a carburetor 13 and a fuel pump 16 thereon. Engine 12 iscoupled by a shaft 14 to a gear train 15, 17 to a generator 18 and aclutch mechanism 19. The clutch mechanism 19 is coupled through a shaft20 to a gear box 21 which connects to rear wheels 22 through a shaft 23and to front wheels 24 through gear box 25, a shaft 26 and a shaft 27.From gear box a shaft 28 is operated perpendicularly to shafts 27 and26. Shaft 28 is coupled to a sprocket gear train 29, and chain conveyor30 which has side walls as indicated partially cut away at 31 to revealthe inner mechanisms. The Walls 31 are securely mounted on the vehiclebody 10 at a sloping angle such that the scoop end 32 is at ground level33 and the discharge end 34 is near the top of the elevated cab 11 ofthe vehicle. Within housing 31 on axles 35 chain and sprocket drivemeans 29 is provided to move a conveyor belt 30 upon them. The axles 3Sare coupled to the engine 12 through the transmissions 19, 21 and 25operated by levers in the drivers compartment 11 so that the driver maycause the shaft 28 and axle 35 to rotate or stop as necessary in the useof the vehicle.

The scoop 38 of housing 31 is articulated on a pivot 36 so that it maybe lifted from ground level 33 to the position thereof shown at 38a byoperation of pneumatic cylinder and piston 37, 39 articulatingly coupledto a dog 40 on the underside of scoop 38.

The portions of the body 10 shown cut away at 41 constitute a tank orchamber in which are contained a re jet assembly 50 further describedbelow and a valve plate 51 articulating on a pivot 52. In the lowercascaded lioor 42 of tank or chamber 41 a clod breaker 43 is provided tobreak up larger snow masses which may fall on the surface 42 and tumbledby the cascades so as not to become lodged thereon. On the top outersurface 44 of tank 41 a combustion mechanism 47 (an air blower andassociated equipment) is mounted and coupled by piping 45, 46, to thejet assembly 50, Clod breaker 43 is operated by its own motor (notshown) which may be controlled from the cab. The clod breaker motor maybe either a rotary device or an oscillatory device such as a vibrator. Ahingedly mounted cover 5S is provided in top 44 of tank 41 to provideaccess for service and cleaning.

Fuel for jets 54 is derived from the motor fuel tank 70 through pipe 71pumped to the combustion mechanism by pump 49 (FIGURE 4) to provide jetames 56. Thermostatic mechanisms 9) are immersed in uid 92 to sense thedecrease in water temperature to actuate the burners.

As shown in FIGURE l, an insulating air chamber 72 is defined betweenthe fuel tank 70 and the combustion chamber to eliminate the hazard offuel explosion.

In the rear 60 of tank 41 are provided an adjustable stiff dischargespout or conduit 61 and a iexible hose 62 coiled on a motorized reel 63.The motor 64 drives the reel axle directly. Hose 62 may be coupled tothe tank by quick disconnect or threaded couplings for removal whennotneeded.

Hose 62 has a nozzle 65 on the end thereof and outlet 66 through reelcenter 63 from tank 41. The quick disconnect coupling is shown at 66a.

Wires 68 are connected to a power driven source for motor 64.

Reel 63 is supported on back 60 of tank 41 and frame 10 by a bracket 69.

The reel and hose assembly 62, 63, 65 and its motor drive 64 are shownmore clearly in FIGURE 3.

Rigid hose 61 may be long as shown for use over high snow and is held inthe upright position by a bracket 75 and spout 76 thereof points outwardand downward. Hose 61 may be a smaller unit pointing out and downward.Hose 61 whether large or small may be rotated in its outlet 73 in therear 60 of tank 41 to position shown at 61' in FIGURE 3.

As may be seen in FIGURE 5 valves 80, 81 are provided to regulate theoutflow of water through the hoses 62 or 61.

In the bottom 86 of tank 41, a strainer outlet 83 is connected throughpump 84 to a pipe 82 which communicates with valves 80 and 81, so thatwhen pump 84 is operated melted snow (water) in tank 41 is pumped outthrough outlet 66 or 78 to hose 62 or 61, as determined by whichevervalve (80 or 81) has been opened. Valves 80, 81 can be manually operatedor solenoid operated by conventional means.

As viewed in the partial cross-section FIGURE 6 the positions of outletstrainer 83, T-pipe 82 and pump 84 are shown in relation to theirlocation in tank 41. In the cross-sectional view of FIGURE 7, therelationships are shown in further detail, in particular thermostats areshown to sense water temperature and thus secure automatic operation ofthe burners. The thermostats work in a manner well known to the artpertaining thereto. That is, when the thermostats 90 are immersed in themelted snow efliuent they are responsive to the etiluent watertemperature to turn on the burners when the efuent temperature is low.This is when the snow is coming to the chamber 41. The burners areturned 0E when the snow is not conveyed to the chamber 41, and when thewater temperature rises. These are further connected to the switchescontrolling the burners, as previously described.

In FIGURE 8, a front view of a modified form of the invention shows thelocations of scoop 38, cab 11, headlamps 91, 91a1 and 91b, etc. The aredside walls 190 part of side walls 31 previously described prevent therelatively light vehicle from skidding by equalizing the snow drag onboth sides.

In FIGURE 9 on a railbed 100, rails 101 and 102 are shown with the scoop105 riding thereon. Rollers 103 are disposed beneath scoop 105 which isnotched as at 106, 107 to clear rails 101 and 102.

Referring to the figures generally the operation of the snow removalmachine can be seen to be as follows:

Scoop 35 riding along surface 33 urges snow 75 onto conveyor assembly30, 31 Awhich is moving up along the sloping path thereof into theopening 76 in tank 41. The tank 41 is configured so as to slopeoppositely to that of conveyor 30, 31. When curtain 51 is forced open bypressure of snow arising on the conveyor the snow falls through opening76 into tank 41 under the flames 56 of jets 54 in jet assembly 50. Theheat melts the snow and the water resulting therefrom falls into tankarea 77. If any snow packs on the sloping area 42 of tank 41, a rotatingmechanism 43 driven by an independent motor not shown breaks up thecompacted snow dropping it into the water in compartment 77.

As water lls compartment 77 (tank 41) selected valves 80 or 81 can beopened to permit the water from 77 to flow out of either spout 61 orhose 62. The motor driven reel 63 can be operated by motor 64 throughelectric conductors 68 (connected to the cab and to a battery) to unreelhose 62 so that a helper on the snow removal vehicle can set it into asewer while the vehicle continues to move into the snow being removed.

If used in the railroad configuration, if hose 61 is stiif and is inanupright form, it can be directed to deposit the water along therailroad right-of-way spraying the water out over head if the snow istoo highotherwise hose 61 can point downward and outward towards theroad and may be short rather than long. A pump provides pressure to liftthe water in sti hose 61 t0 the height necessary and provide suflicientforce for the water to be ejected onto the trackside area.

The conveyor 30-31 is coupled via drive shafts 35 and 28 to the mainengine 12 through gearbox and transmission chains 25, 26, 21 and 19. Thepump 84, generator 18 and the motive wheels 22, 24 also are driven frommain engine 12.

Scoop 35 is articulatable on pivot 36 so as to be lifted by pneumaticpiston to clear obstacles.

The motor 64 on hose reel 63 may be operated by a long wire on the hoseor built into the hose by the helper walking along with the snow removalvehicle. He may also have a radio control switching means for motor 64to reel up or play out the hoses as desired.

Those versed in the art will appreciate that the present inventionachieves the objects and realizes the advantages hereinbefore mentioned.

Although specic embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described herein, it will be understood that the sameare merely exemplary of presently preferred embodiments capable ofattaining the objects and advantages hereinbefore mentioned, andr thatthe invention is not limited thereto; variations will be,

readily apparent to those versed in the art, and the invention isentitled to the broadest interpretation within the terms of the appendedclaims.

The inventor claims:

1. A snow removal machine comprising:

a vehicle including an engine for propelling said vehicle over a snowcovered area to be cleared and a tank for containing engine fuel,

a snow infeed conveyor mounted on the front end of said vehicle having afront lower infeed end and a rear upper discharge end,

a melting chamber on said vehicle behind said conveyor having anentrance opening at said conveyor discharge end,

said infeed end being situated close to ground level and being disposedto remove from said area snow encountered from said infeed end as saidvehicle travels over said area, and said discharge end being situated ata level well above said infeed end, whereby snow entering said infeedend is transported upwardly to and discharged from said outfeed end intosaid melting chamber through said entrance opening,

a plurality of hanging laterally spaced valve flaps hinged at theirupper ends to the upper edge of said opening for independent swingingmovement to permit entrance of snow into and escape of excess combustiongas from said chamber while retaining heat in said chamber,

an inclined cascaded melting ramp mounted on said vehicle within saidchamber having a front upper infeed end disposed to receive snow fromthe discharge end of said conveyor a rear lower discharge end 1ocatedbelow the level of said ramp infeed end, whereby snow entering said rampfrom said conveyor gravitates slowly along said ramp toward itsdischarge end, and anumber of steps between said ramp infeed anddischarge ends,

a powdered clod breaker rotatably mounted within a transverse trough insaid ramp,

said chamber having a ceiling over and parallel to said conveyor,

burners mounted on the underside of said ceiling for heating and therebymelting the snow as the latter gravitates along said ramp to convert thesnow to water which flows by gravity along said ramp to the dischargeend thereof, and

a receiver communicating with the discharge end of said ramp forreceiving said water and unmelted snow from said ramp.

2. A snow removal machine according to claim 1 wherein:

said conveyor extends generally longitudinally of said vehicle andslopes upwardly in the direction of its discharge end,

said ramp infeed end is located opposite said conveyor end and said rampextends rearwardly and downwardly from said conveyor discharge end,

said receiver comprises a tank on said vehicle at the rear lowerdischarge end of said ramp.

there being a compartment below said conveyor and ramp containing saidengine and fuel tank, and

means providing an insulating air space between said melting chamber andfuel tank.

3. A snow removal machine according to claim 1 wherein:

said vehicle includes flanged wheels for riding on railroad tracks, and

a hinged vertically swingable infeed scoop on the front end of saidconveyor having rollers on its underside for riding on said railroadtracks.

4. The subject matter of claim 1, wherein:

said received comprises a water collection tank on said vehicle at therear lower discharge: end of said ramp,

a rigid discharge spout having an inlet end rotatably mounted on therear wall of collection tank to turn on a longitudinal axis of saidvehicle and an opposite arcuate discharge end curving and openinglaterally of said axis, whereby said spout may be positioned to directwater downwardly onto or laterally to one side of a road being cleared,

means including a valve -communicating said spout inlet end to theinterior of said collection tank,

a reel rotatably mounted on said rear tank wall,

a motor for driving said reel in rotation,

7 8 a hose Wound on said reel having a discharge nozzle 3,333,354 8/1967 Kirshenblat 37-12 at one end, 1,706,144 3/ 1929 Chrul 37--12 meansincluding a valve communicating the opposite 1,841,245 1/ 1932 Hagen37-12 end of said hose to said tank interior, 2,471,733 5/ 1949 Fiduccia37-12 means for controlling `said motor to wind said hose on 5 2,576,82911/1951 Fiduccia 37-12 and unwind said hose from said reel, 2,599,098 6/1952 Flynn 37-12 means for opening and closing said valves, and2,696,814 12/ 1954 Townsend 37-12 a pump within said tank interiorhaving an inlet com- 2,705,844 4/ 1955 Pepi 37--12 municating to saidtank interior and an outlet com- 2,738,786 3/ 1956 Leary 37-12municating to said spout and hose through said 10 2,977,955 4/ 1961Altenburg 37-12 valves, whereby water may be pumped from said 3,309,7983/ 1967 Devlin et al. 37-12 tank interior to either or both said spoutand hose. 3,353,286 11/ 1967 Marks 37-12 References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS EUGENE E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner 15 EUGENE H. EICKHOLT,Assistant Examiner 11/1921 Daniels 37-12 10/1939 Marino 37-12 U-S' C1'XR 7/1952 Leary 37-12 37-6, s; 12e-343.5; 137-3551; 169-24; 214-8328 11/1952 Schmitz. 20

